Students allowed to dig for answers in Israel

This summer IU students interested in studying abroad will have a chance to learn about the history of ancient Israel personally.\nThere's just one catch: They may get a little dirty. \n"This is not a traditional classroom setting," said Kathleen Sideli, associate dean of international programs and director of overseas study.\nThe three-week program, which will take place in the middle of June to early July, is part of an archaeological dig at Tel Beth Shemesh, an ancient city mentioned several times in the Bible. \nThe program is being offered for the first time in three years after being shut down due to peace conflicts in Israel.\nSteven Weitzman, director of IU's Jewish Studies Program, created the program in 1995. Weitzman said the decision to discontinue the program made sense.\n"It was a very scary and unpredictable time, but obviously the situation is very different today," he said. "We feel now that it's reasonable to give students an option." \nSideli said she agrees that it is time for students to take advantage of the experience. \n"We believe that the specific arrangements of this program are worth the risk of going if students would like to do so," she said.\nStudents will stay in a kibbutz, a collective farm, away from densely populated cities, which reduces the risk of terrorist activities. After digging from about 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the afternoon, students will analyze their findings and attend historical lectures in the evening. \nProgram Director Stephen Katz, associate professor of near Eastern languages and cultures, who will accompany the students on the dig, said the students will make many hands-on discoveries. \n"They usually find pottery," Katz said. "But if it's something earth-shattering, the world will hear." \nWeitzman said while the experience is valuable for students interested in archaeology and anthropology, everyone can benefit from the trip. \n"It's just a tremendous intellectual adventure," he said. "They're recovering things that haven't been seen by human eyes in 3,000 years." \nAlthough undergraduate and graduate students of all majors are welcome to apply, a minimum of a 3.0 GPA is required for eligibility, according to the IU Overseas Study Web site. No knowledge of Hebrew is required and students will earn three credit hours for the course.\nKatz warns students that the dig also requires patience.\n"It's demanding ... you can work at a leisurely pace, but you have to be able to stay hunched over in temperatures in the 80s or higher," he said.\nOnce the objects are found, students will be taught how to determine the age of pottery pieces and work on assembly.\n"There's a mental challenge as well," Katz said. "It's a very fancy jigsaw puzzle." \nIn addition to participating in the dig, students will take two weekend trips to Galilee and Negev, which are included in the cost of the program. \nThe application deadline for the program is Feb. 18. Students may also apply for scholarships awarded by the Dorot Foundation.\nKatz remains hopeful the program will be offered in many years to come.\n"I think the program will continue ... it's in the best interest of both societies," he said. "I guess I'm an optimist."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Hannah Lodge at hjlodge@indiana.edu.